NH's annual winter turkey survey starts Jan. 1

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking for the public's help tracking turkeys this winter.

Wild turkeys disappeared from the state in the mid-1800s due to overhunting and extensive land clearing, but since Fish and Game reintroduced them starting with 25 turkeys in 1975, the population has grown to about 45,000.

The department is asking anyone who spots a turkey flock from Jan. 1 through March 31 to fill out a survey on the department's website.

Officials say they're particularly interested in hearing from people in the north country, along the Connecticut River and throughout Cheshire County — areas where fewer than 25 flocks were reported last winter.